Question & Answers with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Q:
Is it possible to accept someone’s behavior in the future if you are not able to do it at present. If we don’t show anger then they will keep repeating their behavior, isn’t it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
You show anger but you don’t have to become angry.Q:
Guruji, there is so much corruption in politics, should Art of Living enter politics?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Reform and administration are two different streams. It is essential for both the streams to flow. If the ruler becomes reformer and reformer becomes the ruler then both works will stop.But spirituality will have to be brought into politics. Corruption will have to be dealt with. Though thousands of crores of rupees have been allocated under different programs, it is not reaching people at all.
I would say that you sadhaks should take part in it. Good people have been running away from politics as if it’s a dirty drainage pipe. With so many dirty drains flowing, Gangaji has disappeared. New direction will have to be brought to politics, we all have to work towards it.
Q:
Why is not every human being pure?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Every human is pure but filled with dirt. Every human being is like a diamond. The fact that the diamond is in mud, does not make it mud. You simply have to pick it up and wash it. And it shines again. The shiny nature of diamond is always there but covered with mud and slush.Q:
How should a teacher be?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
There are two types of teachers.The first kind includes those who believe in scolding and pointing out mistakes. This is a tamasic style. The second kind will tell you that you have all the positive qualities. Some people who are a little thick-skinned may need a little strictness.
Q:
Is it ok to be driven by emotions?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The difference between a human and a stone is that, humans have emotions. When feelings are combined with wisdom, then that is good. It’s like when water flows between two banks, we call it river. But if water is scattered all over the place, then that is flood. In life, along with intellect, feelings are also to be nourished. To maintain a balance between intellect and emotions is wisdom.Q:
How to draw the line between not being a football of other’s opinion and also listening to them? Isn’t it also important to listen to other’s opinion?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Yes, it’s like a riding on a bicycle.Q:
Can you please speak to us about ego?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Some say drop the ego, some say destroy it. I say, let the ego stay in your pocket. If you say you have dropped the ego, it becomes a very big ego. Let the limited ego dissolve in the Universal ego. Bhagwad Geeta has elaborated on this in great detail. There are three types of ego - tamasic, rajasic and sattvic. From tamsic and rajasic come to the sattvic ego. The sattvic ego automatically dissolves into Brahman in the state of samadhi.Q:
Do we get this human life only once? Have we come to this birth after being born as all other creatures?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
It is more important to be aware that you are born as a human in this birth. You are also here and I am also here. You do whatever is possible and see that you complete your journey in this birth itself.Q:
What is the importance of bathing in Ganges especially during mahakumbh?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
it is believed to be good to have a dip in the ganges. However, taking a dip in knowledge is even greater for it purifies the mind.Q:
Does past karmas affect our life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
Both past and present karmas affect our life.
